Ryuichi Sakamoto Opus, 2023.
Directed by Neo Sora.
Featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto.
SYNOPSIS:
Ryuichi Sakamoto’s last performance, a concert film featuring just him and his piano playing for the last time before passing away.
Ryuichi Sakamoto was one of modern classical music’s most eminent names, known for his versatility and work across video games, film scores and solo studio albums. He memorably won the Oscar for Best Original Score for his work on 1987’s The Last Emperor also working on Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence and The Revenant. Sakamoto sadly passed away in March of this year but Neo Sora, his son has put together a film capturing the artist at work at the piano entitled Opus. It is a masterful piece, that showcases a one-off musical talent at his pinnacle.
This film in some ways acts as a companion piece to Stephen Nomura Schible’s 2017 film Coda which chronicled Sakamoto’s life and career. This is more a gateway into his artistic process, shot in black & white is almost a concert film with Sakamoto playing piano for the 100-minute runtime. It never bores despite its limited scope with this talent the main draw. A fitting send-off for one of film and music’s greats.
The intimate photography with the black & white spotlighting its subject, allows us to get lost in the music which transports us with its beauty. Beyond anything else, this is a rare glimpse into his process, occasionally making slight errors showing his human side. Even though there is no dialogue, in many ways this works in its favour, demonstrating his concentration and commitment to his work right to the end of his life.
The tracks were hand-picked by Sakamoto and recorded over the course of a week, it is seamlessly edited to seem almost like one continuous performance and features works from across his career, including excerpts from his film scores. For a relatively short run time, this goes some way to charting his lengthy and celebrated career. Closing on his piece Opus, we cut to a piano playing without him, a solemn reminder of his passing. It is incredible to think this was the last time many of these pieces would be performed live, with such clarity and precision and still such a haunting beauty.
This is an emotional send farewell to a great of modern classical music who left his mark on cinema. It is a joy to see him at work and the sharp direction keeps this flowing effortlessly as we follow him through some of his best-loved work. It is also a timely reminder that his music will live on and be enjoyed by generations to come.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Chris Connor
